Archive for February, 2010

A couple if interesting tidbits from Stuart Sternberg via Marc Topkin… Sternberg is surprised at “the speed in which the other front offices have changed their game plans a little bit has forced us to try to stay one step ahead or even in lockstep with them.” Specifically Sternberg is […]

At right is new Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach. A lot of Rays fans are rooting hard for Shoppach. Even we, who have long been Dioner Navarro apologists are hoping Shoppach steps up to be the most-days catcher. Putting on what appears to be 30 extra pounds this off-season didn’t help. […]

Lots of links today so let’s just get to it… DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA… Sun Sports will televise three games this spring (Mar 19, 25 and April 1). Of course, that is about the same time that fans stop caring about spring training, but whatever. Might just be speculation, but Jayson […]

The Rays are one of two teams that could land Russell Branyan. However, the Indians are still considered the favorite. It appears the bidding for Russell Branyan is down to the Indians and Rays. Foxsports.com reports that Boston is no longer interested and that has been confirmed…The team that secures […]

Is there a private group working to secure land in the Channelside area of Tampa for a new Rays stadium? That’s what Bill Varian and Stephen Nohlgren of the St. Pete Times are hearing… In another development, hints have surfaced that a private group is trying to assemble potential stadium […]

The idea of the Rays cutting payroll and not being able to re-sign Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena generated a lot of buzz on the interwebs yesterday. We just wanted to take a moment to clarify our stance… We have no problem with the Rays bringing the 2011 payroll south […]

Pitchers and catchers haven’t even reported for the 2010 season and the Rays are already on the offensive (or is it defensive) about Carl Crawford’s and Carlos Pena’s futures with the team as well as the 2011 payroll. First it was Matt Silverman… We extended last year, we’re over-extended heading […]

The Rays signed relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit to a minor league deal after sitting out all of 2009 with a shoulder injury. Something we like to call the “Raysian Special”… Benoit, 32, struggled through the 2008 season hurt and sat out last year recovering from rotator cuff surgery in January […]

The ESPN cameras were there when Carl Crawford met with Derek Shelton for the first time this off-season. What is telling about this video is that Shelton seems a bit more proactive than most hitting coaches. He has taken the time this winter to fly around the country and meet […]

We have long been critical of Carl Crawford’s jump on stolen bases. It is something that he has overcome with his pure speed. What we hadn’t considered was that the poor jump catches up with him later in the year when his legs tire. (he was 5-10 in SBs in […]